Donald Trump, Abuse of Power, Michigan 2024

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Trump Ousts McQuade, Top Prosecutor in Michigan

U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade has resigned from her position, effective immediately, after being asked to tender her resignation by President Donald Trump.

McQuade, the first woman to serve as U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, was appointed by President Barack Obama in 2010. During her tenure, she oversaw numerous high-profile cases, including the conviction of former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and over 30 others on public corruption charges, as well as the conviction and life sentence of an Al-Qaeda operative for attempting to blow up an airliner over Detroit on Christmas Day in 2009.

McQuade’s office also secured a $4.3 billion fine against Volkswagen AG for cheating on emissions tests and a $1 billion fine against Takata Corp. for fraudulently concealing defective airbags. In addition, her office settled with Pittsfield Township to permit the building of an Islamic School and with the City of Sterling Heights to permit the building of a mosque under religious land use laws.

McQuade was a key figure in the launch of Detroit One, a violence reduction strategy and community partnership, which has led to a decrease in homicide rates, non-fatal shootings, and carjackings in Detroit since its inception in 2013. She also restructured the office to focus attorney resources on district priorities and created new units dedicated to violent crime, public corruption, health care fraud, and civil rights.

Before becoming U.S. Attorney, McQuade was an Assistant U.S. Attorney in Detroit for 12 years, serving as Deputy Chief of the National Security Unit. She prosecuted cases involving terrorism financing, foreign agents, export violations, and threats, and served as the district’s Crisis Management Coordinator.

McQuade’s resignation comes as a surprise, as she was a prominent figure in the Obama administration and had a reputation for being a tough and effective prosecutor. Her legacy will be remembered for years to come, and her departure will be felt throughout the Eastern District of Michigan.